Tyron Smith Injury: Updates on Cowboys OT's Back and Return

Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Tyron Smith was dealing with a lingering back injury that caused him to miss practice time ahead of the team's Week 6 game against the Green Bay Packers. However, David Helman of DallasCowboys.com announced that he was ready to play.

The Cowboys listed Smith as questionable on their official injury report for Week 6. Todd Archer of ESPN previously noted the lineman expected to take the field to face the Packers but believes he'll need to keep managing the back problem moving forward.

Smith missed time earlier this season because of his back but has otherwise been incredibly durable since he entered the league in 2011 as the No. 9 overall pick out of USC. He missed just one game in 2012 and played all 16 contests in 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

When healthy, Smith is one of the key cogs in arguably the best offensive line in all of football. He is a three-time Pro Bowler and was a member of the 2014 All-Pro first team.

Football Outsiders ranked the Cowboys offensive line as the sixth-best run-blocking unit in the league last year and the best in 2014, with Smith helping lead the way. He is part of the group that is opening up holes for rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott this year and will be missed if he is forced to sit out again this season.